Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22749, Michael Egolf, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Egolf, Michael
S. 22749
Born in Penn.
CONTENTS

Let. to Pen. May 4, 1837. enclosing forms
Order to pay May 4, 1837 Order to pay 8 letters to George Richards. 26. March 1838. —
Pennsylvania 25,825
Michael Egolf
of Montgomery Co in the State of Penn who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Antis of the Regt commanded by Col — in the Pennsylvania line for — —
8 Mo Pr $ 26.60
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Jan y and sent to 1834 Rev D. K. Mann Ht of Rep
Arrears to the 4th Sept 1833 66.65 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 th Mar '34 13.33
$ 79.98
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. P. Sprague Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 14

Declaration of Michael Egolf an Old Soldier —
State of Pennsylvania & County of Montgomery 3/8.
On the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three personally appeared in Open Court before the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County of State of Pennsylvania New Britain at Norristown in said County of State Michael Egolf a resident of Pottstown Township in the County and State aforesaid in the Eightieth year of his age who being duly sworn according to Law on his oath doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as follows to wit. The first time he entered the service he marched from Pottstown Township aforesaid to Warick in Chester County in the year 1776. under the command of Captain William Attis, He was there two months preceding Cannon which were made there I lived in Pottstown Township at that time Then was Enlisted soldiers there none but the Militia under Captain Attis, I was a drafted Militia Man as a private soldier — I was discharged there and got no written discharge — he has no written evidence of his service, There is no person living who was with me this time. That I know of who could testify for me —
The second I marched from the same place under Captain Loren in the year 1777 in the fall to Philadelphia, Then we went

by route down to Chester and Wilmington, from Wilmington we went to Maryland, I was in that battle, on the left wing, our Colonel's name was Holler and Potter was our General. There was regular soldiers there - from Maryland they went up to the Cherry Hill and camped near to the brook and then marched down to near Germantown Town - then he was discharged - this time he was out about two months. I don't know any of the regular officers. had no written discharge and he has no document evidence of his service at any time. He knows nobody living who was with him this time who could testify for him - I resided there like the same place
The third time he marched from the same place under Captain Benjamin Markley in the year 1778 to Germantown then to Red Bank in New Jersey. Then to the river Delaware opposite to Trenton. They then went back again to New York, then to Germantown town. Then they were discharged, he was out this time two months. Anthony Bittery was our Colonel. He has no written discharge or document evidence nor does he know of any body living who could testify to his service this time. He resided in the same place as this time. There was no regular troops with us this time -
The fourth time he marched from the same place under Captain Lewis he believed in the year 1779 or 80 to Germantown then to the River Delaware. Then he received a number of prisoners and marched then

Through Lancaster - Little York, and on to the Virginia Line. Then he went back to Little York. Lancaster and Reading. We have no written discharge, or documentary evidence the term lay here over two months. There was no regular troops with us, I know of nobody living who was with me this time who could testify to this service - He was out four times and a little more than eight months altogether He was here in the town even since the Re- volution. He was born on the 18 th day of March 1754 in Pottstown Township. When he here lives and when he has always lived - My age was recorded in my grandfather's Bible, it was false at the time and he does not know when when it is now. - He was drafted every term and was always a private Military man
I do hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on any pension list of any agency whatever
The further states that he endeavored to procure before the Court the attendance of the Rev d Conrad Miller, the Minister of his Church but he was not enabled to attend, to testify, that he is very in- firm and with difficulty can leave his home Morn & subscribed in
Open Court the day & year aforesaid. J. D. G. P. Prot
Michael Egoif

On the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in Open Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Adam Egolf in the fiftieth third year of his age who being duly sworn according to Law deposes before me and says. That he is the Brother of the Mother named Michael Egolf the petitioner and has known him from his infancy. That he knows that Michael has drafted as a Militia man during the revolutionary War several times and marched in the service of the United States. He cannot say how many times he was in the service or how long he remained each time but knows that he was out several times & served some time each time. That during said time they lived together in Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County.
Sworn & subscribed in Open Court the day & year above said & I certify that the said Adam Egolf is a credible Witness
A. J. Egolf
J. Fry. Jr. Pro.
[Faint, illegible handwriting]

The William Menzer of the Borough of Pottstown in the County of Montgomery And Samuel Geiger of Berks Pottstown Township in said County do hereby certify that we are well ac- quainted with Michael Egolf who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we be- lieve him to be in the Eighteenth year of his age as he states that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we con- cur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid. J. F. W. Pitt Samuel Geiger
Interrogatories submitted to the petitioner in open court
1 st Where and in what year were you born Ans r I was born March 18. 1754 in Pottstown Town- ship, now Montgomery, then Philadelphia County
2 nd Have you any records of your age and where is it.
My age is recorded in my grandfather's Bible which was lost after his death as his executor I don't know where it now is

3 rd When was you were you born, When called into service. When have you been since the revolution, and when do you live now
Ans r I know when I was called into service when I now live and have been since ever since in Pottstown Township near Montgomery, the Philadelphia County.
4 th How were you called into service. Were you drafted, or volunteered or a volunteer
Ans r I was a drafted private Militia man.
5 th State the names of the regular officers that you were with, such continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
Ans r I do not know the names of any regular officers or of any continental or Militia regiments. — I served at Brandywine — next time near Trenton & New York. And following prisoners on towards Virginia. I served a little upwards of eight months in the whole.
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from your service
Ans r I never received a written discharge

7 th
State the names of some persons from your neighbourhood to whom you are known in your neighbourhood and who can testify to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Ans r . Jacob Lasher, Henry Moran, Jacob Dumbke, Henry Potts, George Richards, Rev. Conrad Miller & many others
Morn and his estate in Open Court the day and year aforesaid
Michael Ego
J. F. H. Pott
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories by the law department that the above named applicant Michael Ego has a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states in the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William Mertz a resident of the Borough of Pottstown and Samuel Geyer a resident of the Borough of Pottstown prove who have signed the above certificates and credible persons in Astoria, and their statements is entitled to credit. Witness our hands the day and year aforesaid -
John Fox Pres t . Judge Hiram McNeill asso ciate
Rich d B. Jones v st Judge

I Jacob Fry Jr Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery State of Pennsylvania do certify that I John Forster who has subscribed his name to the foregoing Certificate with his own proper hands is the President Judge of said Court of Common Pleas the said Hiram Wheeler and Richard Jones who have also subscribed their names to said Certificate with their own proper hands and the associate Judges of said Court and that foregoing proceedings are the original proceedings which for them in said Court of Common Pleas in the cause of the application of Michael Egolf an old soldier for a Pension
And I do certify that the within named Adam Egolf a witness examined in said cause was sworn and examined in open court before me and that I believe said Adam Egolf to be a credible witness
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas this tenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
J Fry Jr Pro
Application of Michael Egolf of Montgomery County for a Pension
24302
Send certificate to Thomas M. Jolly of Norristown attorney of the

CR024302
Michael Egolf Montgomery Co Pennsylvania
Adm 8 Months - for
26.11 2
53.32 13.33
102.65 Han. J. R. Mann H R
M c Mann 26.11 3 795.8
Jhs M Lolly Clanton Montgomery Co Pa

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
-sylvania
A Statement, shewing the Service of Michael Egolf Montgomery Co Pen.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     After 1776 2 Private Captn. Anlis. 80 years Witness A. Egolf for several terms of service & traditional evidence   1777 about 2 months Captn. Lowee Montgo   1778 — 2 Col. Stoller merylee   1779 — 2 Captn. Marklay Penns   n-1780 — 2 Col. Betting nica   Captn. Down  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
55 2/4

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
John H. Ashton

May 18, 1940.
E. Q. Egolf 213 Walnut Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Ans BA-J/ILL Michael Egolf S. 22749
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Michael Egolf, a soldier of the Revolutionary War who applied for pension about 1834.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 22749 based upon service of Michel Egolf in the Revolutionary War.
Michel Egolf (his name shown also Michael Egolf) was born March 18, 1754 in Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania, which township was later in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given. He resided there at the time of the Revolutionary War.
He enlisted and served four tours as private in the Pennsylvania troops, amounting in all to a little more than eight months, shown as follows: in 1776, two months in Captain William Antis' company, during which he was engaged in guarding cannons being made at Warwick in Chester County; in the fall of 1777, two months in Captain Luce's company, Colonel Heller's regiment, during which he was in the battle of Brandywine; in 1778, two months in Captain Benjamin Markley's company; and in 1779-1780, two months or more in Captain Towne's company, engaged in guarding prisoners to Lancaster and to Little York, on the Virginia border.
Michel (Michael) Egolf was allowed pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War on his application executed April 10, 1833. He resided then in Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where he had always resided. He made no reference to wife or children. He was living in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in 1837.
Adam Egolf, this soldier's brother, was a resident of

Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania, in 1833, aged seventy-two years; he resided there at the time Michael served in the Revolutionary War.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:
Michael Egolf( as his name was borne on pension roll) Certificate #25825 Issued January 8, 1834 Rate $26.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Pennsylvania Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Brooklyn
22749
1940-May 18- Hist. Soc. E. Ind. Golf Club
INVALID.
File No. 22,749
Michael Egolf His Rev. wife
Act: June 7 n 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 121
[Arrangement of 1870.]

213 Walnut St., Harrisburg, Pa. April 15, 1940
Pension Commissioner, Revolutionary Section, Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
An application was filed for pension, as a Revolutionary soldier, by Michael Egolf , for services in the Revolutionary War. This application was dated about 1834, and his age was listed as 80 years. We would appreciate a copy of this application and a copy of the pension.
Kindly bill us for any charges that may be incurred thereto.
Very truly yours,
E. R. Egolf Sr.
ELE:ss

Leip. Pa
26 Apr. 1837
Dear S. Edwards Esq.
Dr. Sir.
Michael Egel of this County, a Pensioner has been refused his pension at the Agency in Phila a for the reason that he has not drawn for twelve months I am requested by the pensioner to ask of you the necessary instructions to said a Agency to enable him to receive his pension I am acquainted with him: You will be pleased to return the enclosed certificate to the Pensioner at Pottstown, Montgomery county Pa.
On Sunday we had about 7 or 8 inches of snow. The weather is cold and vegetation increasingly in the rear. —
Your friend
J. F. H.